Acceptable Use Policies (AUPs) are, most times, a school’s first line of defense in preventing unsafe, illegal, and unethical use of a school or district’s internet and network privileges. An AUP is a document that clearly outlines what is and isn’t acceptable usage of the internet. The purpose of the use of the internet and the AUP is to enhance and support teaching and learning using technology but to give specific guidelines for the safety and well-being of students and teachers alike. Most AUPs specify consequences for not using the internet and its networks properly too.
The following information is contained in surrounding counties’ AUPs:
· The use of the internet is a privilege, not a right.
· The purpose of the AUP
· A written parental consent form
· Guidelines for acceptable use of the internet and networks
· Examples of misuse
* Penalties of misuse
Some of the common unacceptable uses include:
· Violating any state, federal, or municipal ordinance, such as: accessing or transmitting pornography of any kind, obscene depictions, harmful materials, materials that encourage others to violate the law, confidential information or copyrighted materials.
· Using profane, abusive language; threatening, harassing, or making damaging or false statements about others or accessing, transmitting, or downloading offensive, harassing, or disparaging materials.
· Damaging computer equipment, files, data or the network in any way, including intentionally accessing, transmitting or downloading computer viruses or other harmful files or programs, or disrupting any computer system performance.
I liked the Knox County AUP the best because it specifies acceptable use, unacceptable use, AND penalties for improper use. I didn't see, on any of the others, the penalties or consequences for not following the AUP or misuse of resources- [[-http://knoxschools.org/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/443879/File/policymanual/policy manual/i/IFABC.pdf |Knox County AUP]]
What is an AUP?
Acceptable Use Policies (AUPs) are, most times, a school’s first line of defense in preventing unsafe, illegal, and unethical use of a school or district’s internet and network privileges. An AUP is a document that clearly outlines what is and isn’t acceptable usage of the internet. The purpose of the use of the internet and the AUP is to enhance and support teaching and learning using technology but to give specific guidelines for the safety and well-being of students and teachers alike. Most AUPs specify consequences for not using the internet and its networks properly too.
The following information is contained in surrounding counties’ AUPs:
· The use of the internet is a privilege, not a right.
· The purpose of the AUP
· A written parental consent form
· Guidelines for acceptable use of the internet and networks
· Examples of misuse
* Penalties of misuse
Some of the common unacceptable uses include:
· Violating any state, federal, or municipal ordinance, such as: accessing or transmitting pornography of any kind, obscene depictions, harmful materials, materials that encourage others to violate the law, confidential information or copyrighted materials.
· Using profane, abusive language; threatening, harassing, or making damaging or false statements about others or accessing, transmitting, or downloading offensive, harassing, or disparaging materials.
· Damaging computer equipment, files, data or the network in any way, including intentionally accessing, transmitting or downloading computer viruses or other harmful files or programs, or disrupting any computer system performance.
I liked the Knox County AUP the best because it specifies acceptable use, unacceptable use, AND penalties for improper use. I didn't see, on any of the others, the penalties or consequences for not following the AUP or misuse of resources- [[-http://knoxschools.org/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/443879/File/policymanual/policy manual/i/IFABC.pdf |Knox County AUP]]